Sri Lanka’s Mahela Jayawardena made his county debut for Sussex in a T20 thriller which his side lost to Kent by 7 runs.

Jayawardena, who came in at number three position, made a brisk 39 in 30 deliveries faced, with four boundaries and a six.

However, his team failed to reach the target of 186, and scored just 178 for 6 in 20 overs.

Kent won the toss and elected to bat in the NatWest Blast T20 game played out at Canterbury. Kent scored 185 for 9 in 20 overs. Opener Joe Denly, captain Sam Northeast and Sam Billings starred in Kent innings.

Sussex had made a brisk start to their pursuit as skipper and T20 specialist Luke Wright in tandem with the experienced Chris Nash powered to an opening stand of 81 inside 7.4 overs.

James Tredwell dismissed Wright, bringing Jayawardene to the middle.  He and Nash added 31 for the second wicket.

Nash posted the only 50 of the evening from 37 balls with nine fours, but then blotted his copybook by charging down the pitch to lose his middle stump to Matt Coles.

Coles celebrated again when he picked up Jawawardene with a loose delivery that the 37-year-old right-hander miscued to Joe Denly.

Sussex chase came totally undone in the last three overs as they failed to capitalize on the excellent start the top order had given.